Friday, March 13, 2009

Writing Always not Writing Up

'writing related issues often play a significant role in preventing or delaying completion of Phds" (Torrance & Thomas, 1994)

Facilitating Student Writing: Issues and strategiesDont get it right, get it well written - write early, write often

strategies for student:- review other theses in the discipline-talk to other students/graduates-research and write simultaneously-do a thesis plan (T.O.C.) early and keep it growing as the research proceeds-work flexibly with your thesis plan-set clear writing goals and milestones-talk what you want to say into a tape-break big tasks down into manageable chunks-reward yourself for progress, mark achievements-build safeguard into timeline-re-frame: view writing as a series of hoops to jump through (achieveable tasks) rather than a test of intelligence or endurance-dont stall or get bogged down in detail; if this happens take a short break

Problems with writing

-fear of supervisor's feedback or of supervisor in general-fatigue: too many 'binges', binge-only writing, more 'snacks' needed, more rest? binges can be aversive, leaving you feeling drained-lack of momentum: redefine this not as lack of progress, but as limited relationship between writing session.-not writing often enough-lack of rewards-signalling problems: you cannot find your way in your own writing-not achieving high enough standard in writing

Strategies for unblocking

-free writing-generative writing-mind mappingverbal rehearsal-write down all you know about X-write down all your ideas abot X-construct a sense of ending: visualize the completed thesis

becoming a serial writer-write regurlarly-measure your actual output:count/calculate the number of words/pages you write per hour/week-plan and give a work-in- progress presentation-plan and write chapters pf your thesis-submit conference abstract-set yourself writing tasks:define form, content, length of time, number of words before you start-continue freewriting to develop your ideas and build confidence